The earliest known male in the Stevens line, he was probably the Henry Stevens who was named in the 1593 Lay Subsidy of Ash in Surrey. Henry Stevens was also listed as a 'bill man of ye second sorte' in the Surrey Muster Rolls of 1572 and 1583, and as a provider of archers in 1596. He was a farmer, and had at least eight surviving childen.

His son Henry was not mentioned in his will, but was named in the will of his son Nicholas (qv). Henry snr's other sons were Edward who married Rose Terry in Ash in 1598, John and Robert - Robert was the only child to be baptised in Ash (in 1583). It is possible that the family had moved there from Berkshire, where they had property. Henry had three married daughters - their children were identified in his will.